Advent Pro Backpacks by Gregory Mountain

Pros: A durable, day or overnight pack - that's lightweight, comfortable, and full of storage options.
Cons: Accessing the bag's main compartment often, only 3 strap clicks away, can be a nuisance.

First, let me begin by saying that I spend way too much time scoping out gear, comparing and contrasting comparable items - before I make the final decision to buy. It drives me crazy - but hunting down the right stuff is half the fun. Sorry if this ...

Pros: Overall lightweight pack with a nice design and interior accessibility.
Cons: Complete lack of appropriate back support.

I really wanted to like this pack. It had almost everything I wanted ... ultralight cordura material, multiple entry points into the pack, the correct volume for the items I wanted to carry, a water pouch, a water tube hole, daisy chains, lots of exterior mesh pockets, even a snazzy color to boot!!! However, despite all the great things about this pack, it is missing one *KEY* item necessary for the purpose which I bought it for; the pack lacks support in a BIG WAY. I kept the pack load within the recommended weight limits (20-25lbs max), and still the support was lacking. In fact, upon wearing this pack on the 1st day of a 4-day trip, it gave me a back bruise so painful that I had to switch packs with my hiking buddy. Starting at the waist the support is gone, and instead its more flexible, making the bottom "sleeping bag" location of the pack very floppy. The pack back support bulged out and hit my lower back, causing the bruising.

In general, if the support from the Gregory Z Pack was combined with everything else from this pack, that would be the perfect backpack!!!

Pros: Lightweight. Comfortable. Great pockets and straps.
Cons: Not a pack for running or excessive bouncing.

I bought this pack for adventure racing and trail running. It is a lightweight, durable pack with lots of room for my climbing gear, extra clothing, food, and bike or trail shoes. The pockets and straps are easy to use, especially the mesh pockets on the waistbelt. (Easy to access my Powerbars!) The rear mesh pocket is large enough for a bike helmet.

I only have two complaints: 1) no load lifter straps. This makes it difficult to cinch it close to my back, which means that the pack flops around when running trails as opposed to feeling like the pack is an extension of my body. 2) Without load lifters, I tried to pull tight on the detachable sternum strap. But when I try to cinch it down to compensate for the lack of load lifters, the snaps come undone.

Conclusion: a good pack for day hiking, thru-hiking and other ultra-light endeavors. Just don't try to run with it on.